Speech-Language Pathology Faculty

Alexis Lawton, M.S., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

Email: ALawton@westcoastuniversity.edu

Alexis Lawton, MS+30, CCC-SLP is a school-based speech-language pathologist in Walterboro, South Carolina. She has experience in all settings, but her heart lies in early childhood. She is a 2nd year PhD student in the Literacy, Language, and Culture program at Clemson University. She is the co-director of Professional Support in the South Carolina Multilingual Learner Network. She has accrued almost $20,000 in grant funding. She has a publishing history in several state and national journals. She has presented in a variety of conferences including ASHA, NBASLH, TESOL, SCSHA, GSHA, FLSHA, etc.

Amy Rose Ph.D. MS CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

Email: ARose@westcoastuniversity.edu

Dr. Amy J. Rose, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology program. She earned her doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and brings over 30 years of clinical experience working with children and adults with communication disorders across a variety of settings, including public schools, skilled nursing facilities, group homes, university clinics, and rehabilitation hospitals.

Dr. Rose has experience teaching in-person, hybrid, and online courses on voice and resonance disorders, pediatric feeding and adult swallowing disorders, school-age language disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. Her research interests include the implementation of competency-based educational strategies, interprofessional collaboration in higher education, social skills and friendship development in disability populations, and international service-learning.
She served as co-principal investigator on a five-year, U.S. Department of Education–funded Personnel Preparation grant focused on increasing the number and quality of professionals serving children with high-intensity needs, particularly those with autism and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. She was also the Project Director of a Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad in Botswana.

Dr. Rose has authored and co-authored scholarly articles and book chapters, and has presented her work at regional, national, and international conferences.
She lives in Asheville, North Carolina, and is the proud parent of two adult children, Ryan and Rachael. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the mountains, spending time outdoors, traveling, and being with her small dog, Ben

Anni Charthern, CScD, CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

Email: ACharthern@westcoastuniversity.edu

Dr. Anni Charthern, CScD, CCC-SLP  serves as an Assistant Professor for the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program at West Coast University. Born and raised in California, she earned both her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Hampton University. After five years of clinical practice, she returned to school to complete her Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology. With over a decade of experience as a seasoned speech-language pathologist, Dr. Charthern has worked with diverse populations across the lifespan in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, home health, private practice, early childhood intervention, and public schools. She has extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating disorders related to feeding, swallowing, articulation, phonology, language, cognition, motor speech, fluency, and pragmatics. Her research interests focus on sensory integration and language disorders, reflecting her commitment to evidence-based practice and ongoing professional growth.

With more than 10 years in the field, Dr. Charthern remains deeply committed to advancing the profession through compassionate care, evidence-based practice, and a lifelong dedication to learning. She is especially passionate about mentoring the next generation of clinicians and strives to bridge the gap between academic instruction and practical application.

In addition to her academic and clinical roles, Dr. Charthern continues to see private clients and mentor, supervisor, and train speech-language pathology assistants and graduate clinicians during their clinical placements.

Camisha Williams, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

Email: CamWilliams@westcoastuniversity.edu

Dr. Camisha Williams, Ph.D., CCC-SLP joined West Coast University in July 2023 as an Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology Program. Dr. Williams is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of practice. She is the co-owner/ general partner of Lighthouse Therapeutics and serves on the board of Lighthouse Foundation. Dr. Williams received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Carolina.  Dr. Williams also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from Walden University.  While Dr. Williams began her clinical focus on adults with traumatic brain injuries and other deficits, her current focus is children with a variety of language and developmental delays. Her specific interests include Autism in girls, Sensory Integration and language development, as well as special populations and sound models of  professional practice. She has been an online instructor for several years and serves as a speech-language pathology clinical field site supervisor for various colleges and universities. Dr. Williams is licensed as a speech language pathologist in several states and serves as a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students.

Dr. Williams lectures and gives presentations across South Carolina. She is a special education consultant for students in K-12 schools. Dr. Williams is a member of the American Speech-Hearing Association (ASHA), National Black Association for Speech-Language Hearing, The National Society of Leadership and Success, Psi Chi Psychology National Honor Society, as well as Founding Board Member of the Montessori Charter School of Camden. Dr. Williams also has completed the  Advanced Apraxia Workshop at TCU presented by The Once Upon a Child Foundation.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Dr. Williams provides community outreach. She endows the Beverly Hayes Brown Book Scholarship annually and is co-founder of the Amari Williams Hope for Healing Hearts Foundation. Dr. Williams is the senior vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #203 and is a member of Women in Leadership in South Carolina, Dr. Williams’ greatest achievement and endearment are her two children, Amari and Belle.

Chelsea Vogleson, M.S., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

Email: CVogleson@westcoastuniversity.edu

Chelsea Vogleson, M.S., CCC-SLP is an Assistant Professor in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program at West Coast University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina. In her faculty role, Chelsea is passionate about creating interactive and engaging virtual learning experiences that support student success. As a Clinical Coordinator at West Coast University, she has played a key role in developing and sustaining clinical partnerships, helping to ensure students have access to diverse clinical experiences that foster professional growth. Chelsea brings experience across a variety of clinical settings, including schools, home health, outpatient clinics, and inpatient facilities. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan and has clinical and research interests in language disorders, developmental disorders, service delivery models, patient- and family-centered care, and community-based services.

As a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist and member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Chelsea is dedicated to educating, supporting, and mentoring the next generation of professionals in the field. She is particularly committed to guiding students through their clinical experiences by providing individualized feedback, reviewing their progress, and offering mentorship to enhance their skills and confidence in real-world settings.

She resides in South Carolina, known as the “Palmetto State,” and in her free time, enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.

Dezaray E. Bursh, M.Ed.

Clinical Coordinator

Email: DBursh@westcoastuniversity.edu

Dezaray E. Bursh, M.Ed. serves as a Clinical Coordinator for the Speech-Language Pathology program, bringing over 14 years of experience in education, youth development, and systems leadership. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Services and her Master of Education in Educational Leadership. She later lived in Washington, DC before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia.

Throughout her career, Dezaray has supported students across a variety of school settings, leading initiatives focused on behavior systems, restorative practices, and equitable access to instruction. Her work has centered on building structured, supportive environments where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This systems-based foundation now informs her approach to supporting graduate clinicians throughout their clinical placements.

Dezaray is passionate about mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and bridging the gap between academic preparation and real-world application. She remains committed to equipping future speech-language pathologists with the competence, professionalism, and cultural responsiveness needed to serve diverse populations across settings.

Outside of work, Dezaray enjoys spending time with her husband and son, serving at her local church on the worship team, cooking, nature, and watching Vikings Football- SKOL!

Julia Hershey, M.S., CCC-SLP

Clinical Coordinator

Email: JHershey@westcoastuniversity.edu

Julia Hershey, M.S., CCC-SLP is the Clinical Coordinator for the California cohort of MSLP students. Originally from Pennsylvania, she graduated from Millersville University with a BA in Spanish and Linguistics. After several years in the staffing industry, she returned to school and completed her MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Penn State. For over ten years she has specialized in speech therapy for adult and geriatric populations, treating neurogenic disorders, dysphagia, accent reduction, voice, and cognitive skills to promote lasting independence. She is passionate about providing patient-centered, individualized care and advocating for aging with dignity in community settings in the Baltimore area. She enjoys making lasting connections with supervisors and strives to provide the best clinical internship experiences for the next generations of Speech-Language Pathologists.

Kristen Izaryk PhD

Online Faculty Manager

Email: KIzaryk@westcoastuniversity.edu

Dr. Kristen Izaryk, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and Online Faculty Manager for the Speech-Language Pathology program. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and earned both her Master of Arts in Linguistics and her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. Her graduate level research focused on speech and language development, pragmatic development, pediatric language disorders, and social communication disorders in children.

Dr. Izaryk has been teaching full-time in Speech-Language Pathology graduate programs since 2016. Her areas of expertise are language development and disorders, language sampling techniques, research and evidence-based practice, and social communication disorders. Her favorite thing about teaching is supporting and empowering students to take risks and embrace the learning process.

Outside of work, Dr. I. enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. She loves sports, particularly hockey and baseball, and loves to cheer for her hometown Toronto teams. Dr. I also enjoys animals and working in the garden.

Mackensie Blair Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Email: MBlair@westcoastuniversity.edu

Dr. Mackensie Blair, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Speech Language Pathology Program. She holds undergraduate degrees in Cognitive Science with an emphasis on Pre-Professional Speech Language Pathology and Spanish Studies. Her Ph.D. is in Communication Sciences and Disorders and was awarded in 2024 from the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on language acquisition in monolingual and bilingual populations, as well as second language learning in children and adults. This work has been presented at national and international conferences and published in journals related to language acquisition. In addition to working as a researcher Dr. Blair has extensive student mentoring experience in both lab and classroom settings. Her interest in language development stems from her work as a preschool teacher, and her own experience as a speaker of both English and Spanish.

Outside of work Dr. Blair enjoys reading mystery novels, painting, and spending time with her husband and two cats. She also enjoys traveling and visiting her family in Spain.

Meredith Gohsman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Interim Dean and Program Director

Email: MGohsman@westcoastuniversity.edu

Dr. Meredith Gohsman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is is an Assistant Professor and Interim Dean/Program Director of the West Coast University Master’s of Speech-Language Pathology program. She joined the Speech-Language Pathology faculty at West Coast University in December 2023. Dr. Gohsman completed her undergraduate degree at Old Dominion University and Master’s degree at James Madison University. She completed her Ph.D. at Old Dominion University in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation in December 2021. Dr. Gohsman has 10 years of experience in speech-language pathology. She has experience in a variety of clinical settings, including schools, outpatient/inpatient rehabilitation, university clinics, and mental health settings. Throughout these clinical experiences, Dr. Gohsman has worked with individuals across the lifespan. She has developed clinical expertise in the areas of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), language disorders, pediatric communication disorders, service delivery models, patient- and family-centered care, and research methodologies.

Dr. Gohsman has teaching experience in both face-to-face and virtual learning environments. She has presented at international, national, state, and local conferences. Dr. Gohsman is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), ASHA Special Interest Group 10 and 12, as well as the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC). She served as a member of the ASHA 2022 Convention AAC Program Committee. In addition, Dr. Gohsman was recognized as a Distinguished Early Career Professional by ASHA in 2020 and has received two ASHA Awards for Continuing Education.

Dr. Gohsman’s clinical and research interests include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) modalities, as well as mechanisms to reduce participation barriers reported by AAC stakeholders. She enjoys working with students to build capacity and confidence in the speech-language pathology scope of practice. Dr. Gohsman also enjoys spending time with her family.

Michelle Zemsky Dineen, Ph.D., MA, CCC-SLP, FNAP

Assistant Professor

Email: MDineen@westcoastuniversity.edu

Dr. Michelle Zemsky Dineen, Ph.D., MA, CCC-SLP, FNAP joined the faculty at West Coast University in July 2024 as an Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology program. Dr. Dineen completed undergraduate training at Miami University (OH), a master’s degree at Northwestern, and her PhD in Interprofessional Healthcare Studies at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

Following decades of work as a clinician and multidisciplinary rehabilitation manager working with adults and geriatrics throughout the spectrum of care, Dr. Dineen sought out her doctorate to focus on the next generation of healthcare providers. Having seen the benefits of truly collaborative practice in action, and the pitfalls when we practice in silos, she knew going back to school and teaching were the next phase of her career. While not being client/patient focused leaves a huge hole, she carries the stories of those she was privileged to work with; they remain her driving force. The combination of these experiences has afforded Dr. Dineen a unique perspective into our roles as SLP providers and teammates, leading through change, and the business of healthcare.

Dr. Dineen has taught as an adjunct at multiple universities throughout the Midwest and recently completed a two-year Visiting Professorship. Having taught both online and in person, she recognizes and respects the intentional manner online programs seek to engage future professionals and increase access to the field. Dr. Dineen presents regionally and nationally on topics related to medical practice of SLP, interprofessional education and practice, and ethics. These same areas serve as her primary research interests.

Active roles in professional organizations include the following:

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, member
• Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Fellow
• National Academies of Practice, Distinguished Fellow

Dr. Dineen is thrilled to join the team at WCU and serve the students as they grow their knowledge and skills and transition into practice. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, most notably her husband and two rescue pups, Flash and Dash, who all reside in Chicago, IL.

Michael Hauge MS CCC-SLP

Interim Campus Director of Clinical Education

Email: MHauge@westcoastuniversity.edu

Michael Hauge, M.S. CCC-SLP SLP is an Assistant Professor and Interim Director of Clinical Education in the Master of Speech Language Pathology Program at West Coast University. He joined the University in January 2024. Professor Hauge completed his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Saint Louis University and his Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology at West Virginia University. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Health Sciences from Northern Illinois University.

Professor Hauge has 9 years of experience in the field of speech language pathology. He has worked in a variety of clinical educational settings, including inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, and university clinics. Prior to joining West Coast University, Professor Hauge held the role of Director of Clinical Education for the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology Program at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO where he currently resides. He has developed clinical expertise in acquired neurogenic communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders and brings his passion for patient advocacy, evidenced-based practice, and ethical decision-making to the classroom.

Pamela Resnick Ph.D. MS CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

Email: PResnick@westcoastuniversity.edu

Dr. Pamela J. Resnick, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology program who specializes in the assessment and treatment of individuals with complex communication needs (Augmentative-Alternative Communication) across the lifespan. Dr. Resnick received her Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her Master of Arts in speech-language pathology from New York University. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Central Florida with a focus on eye tracking technologies and Augmentative-Alternative Communication. Dr. Resnick has a wide range of experience in higher education and clinical practice. She served as a Clinical Educator at the University of Central Florida and as an Assistant Professor at Jacksonville University. Dr. Resnick’s clinical and research interests include assessment of individuals who present with a variety of medical and communication diagnoses in the following areas: CVA, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), complex communication needs, acquired neurogenic communication disorders, and Aphasia. She also takes an interest in the area of clinical education.

Wyndi L. Capeci, Ed.D., CCC-SLP

Associate Professor

Email: WCapeci@westcoastuniversity.edu 

Dr. Wyndi L. Capeci, Ed.D., CCC-SLP is an associate professor in the Speech-Language Pathology program at West Coast University. Raised in New York, she received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University at Albany. Dr. Capeci went on to complete a master’s degree in special education from the College of Saint Rose, followed by a second master’s in communication sciences and disorders. She completed her doctorate in community care and counseling with a focus on traumatology at Liberty University. She most recently is a graduate of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Leadership Development Program and the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders Lisa Scott Leadership Program.

Dr. Capeci has been in practice over 24 years and has had leadership roles in multiple higher education institutions. She is committed to growing the field of speech-language pathology and supporting future clinicians on their journey to becoming speech-language pathologists. She has won an Excellence in Teaching award and was a repeat nominee for Innovator of the Year and Leader of the Year at previous intuitions. As a licensed speech-language pathologist, Dr. Capeci continues to provide pro bono speech-language services and parent education to local community organizations while sitting on several local and state community boards in Florida.

Yolanda Lister

Program Assistant

Email: yLister@westcoastuniversity.edu

Yolanda Lister is a polished senior executive support partner recognized for superior business acumen. Results-driven with over 18 years of experience in higher education, specializing in program development, student success initiatives, and cross-functional team leadership. Yolanda is a graduate of Kilgore College with a degree in Business and the University of Phoenix with a degree in Healthcare Administration earning Suma Cum Laude honors, she is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration.

She is recognized for building effective partnerships, streamlining operations, and leading diverse teams to achieve institutional goals. Yolanda is committed to equity, innovation, and excellence in educational programming. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, crafting, and spending quality time with family and friends.